PMAN To Partner EFCC In Fight Against Piracy

The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria has revealed plans to partner with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of efforts to fight piracy in the industry.

Making the announcement at the union’s National Executive Council meeting held in Lagos recently which had delegates from over 24 states of the federation in attendance, President of PMAN, Mr. Pretty Okafor, said the move was to further improve the lot of musicians and ensure that they get proper reward for their works.

Okafor also announced the introduction of a bar-coding system in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and Nigeria Copyright Commission respectively.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, Okafor said, “In keeping with our vision of reforming and repositioning the Nigerian music industry to live up to its billing, a new anti-piracy strategy has been adopted and NEC has approved the synergy between PMAN and the EFCC which shall provide the framework for holistic anti-piracy drive since piracy has been identified as an economic crime not just against the works owner but the nation at large.According to him, once the details of the new system have been finalised among the three parties, artistes would begin to get their due entitlement on their works.

“The compulsory bar-coding of all musical and film works released in Nigeria shall commence as soon as the ongoing negotiations between PMAN and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on the one hand and NCC on the other hand is concluded.”